Last day of the camp

The photo above is actually from yesterday when we rode out to Saguaro national park where we had a photo shoot with canadian cyclist and Louis Garneau.  Apparently, Louis Garneau is going to be putting photos of national team athletes in a bunch of magazines this year...

The photo shoot ended up breaking up the ride and most riders stopped for a coffee and then went back to the hotel.  Something that I learned last year is that training camps can be great for augmenting one's training, however discipline is required to avoid common trapping that could throw off your training.  Earlier this week, we were climbing to the top of Mt. Lemmon and at one point the group started to ride itlike a race.  During a training camp like this, it is important to ride the pace that you need to ride even when other are going faster or slower than you need to go.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Tan lines..

So, after seeing this guy (Spencer Smitheman) my dear wife should never complain about my tan lines again!  She once threatened to hold me down and rub fake tanner on me to get rid of the tan lines.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

recovery ride before the climb

Today was a pretty easy recovery ride, just over 2 hours on pretty flat terrain.  My legs were still a little fatigued from the 5+ hours yesterday, so the rest was welcome.

 

Tonight we are having some sort of a photo shoot for all CCA athletes that are at the camp.  This means that the CCA will stop using that terrible photo that they took of me almost 4 years ago!  I am pretty excited about that because I really hate the photo that they have been posting on web sites and using for accreditation at events...

 

Staying at the new place that is closer to the CCA hotel has really made a difference in allowing me to rest and recover after training.  Today I was finally able to get in for a much needed massage.  My shoulders and legs were a total mess from going the first 10 days of training without any massage.

 

 

new accommodations and a great ride...

No pictures today as I don't have internet access at the new place I am staying at (I am actually borrowing someone's computer to make this post).  I finally bit the bullet and paid for a place in Tucson that is pretty close to the hotel where the CCA is staying to avoid the 50 min commute each way from Green Valley.  The chateau McD was awesome while I was riding on my own (why didn't I come down here sooner!) but all of my stretching, recovery, and other things that I should have been doing were suffering due to the commute.

Yesterday I missed the group ride since I was moving my stuff over to the new place, but I did a pretty solid 3.5 hour ride up Mt Lemmon.  It is a pretty famous climb among cyclists in North America as it is close to Tucson and it is a pretty steady climb for 25 miles!

Today was a pretty solid ride as well as we clocked just over 5 hours and something like 145km.  Between the two rides I burned 6500 calories :)  I am hoping that this training camp is going to help me in my efforts to lose some weight and get a little more competitive in the 2010 season.

First IST Session of the camp

As the limits of athletes are continually being pushed farther and performance differences on the podium are often in the fractions of percentage points, the role of sport specialists is becoming more pronounced at the elite level every year. As part of the support provided by the Canadian Cycling Association on this camp, several sport specialists have been invited to share their expertise with the team on topics ranging from nutrition to recovery strategies. Today was the first IST session with recovery specialist (and former Speed Skating Olympian) Susan Massitti (Far right in photo)

The first topic being covered off was contrasting baths. I am guessing that most people are aware of the concept of applying cold to injuries, however this technique is supposed to help with flushing out all of the bad stuff that builds up in your muscles during intense exercise.

The first ones to jump into the garbage cans filled with ice and water were these brave ladies. Bravo! Unfortunately, my swim trunks were a 45 minute drive away so I was unable to participate... darn!

Here is where the contrast comes in... into the hot tub, before hitting the ice bucket again!

Chillin' at the summit

Here with a few of the others in the lead group chatting, eating and drinking before heading down.  It was waaaay warmer than at the observatory yesterday.

The time passed a lot faster on the ride today since I wasn't out all alone.  The 45 minute drive each way will get tiresome very quick though...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

First ride with the cca camp

Once we hit the base of Mt. Lemmon, we split into three groups and the first couple of groups went up 14 miles and then turned around.  I stayed with the first group, but the extra 15 pounds around my waist were very apparent as we were climbing.  Total ride time was 3 hours 20 minutes.  Tonight we have a specialist that is going to talk to us about recovery techniques.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

I heart mountains....

I felt a little like I did at the summit of kilimanjaro today as I wanted to sit down and enjoy the view... But I didn't bring enough warm clothes to do so...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

But what a view!

The view during the climb was quite spectacular.  On the way down I was a little more focused on keeping the shiny side up as I watched for sand and ice of the road...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Yes... That is snow

So, it is amazing how many of the little things one can forget after riding in a basement for several months... Like bringing a warm jacket to put on for the ride down the mountain while you are all wet and sweaty from the climb up...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Ride pic 2

About 75km and 5000ft of elevation gain later.... There is the litttle white bump again!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Ride pic 1

Today was a real bag drive of a ride.  In this photo, I am already 15km into the ride and headed to the observatory on the mountain behind the one centred in the foreground of this photo.  There is a small white bump in the distance and that is where I am headed...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

View from mid point

Yesterday was 72.5 km, almost as long as the day before, but less climbing.  Headed to the SW towards Arivanca Lake and met a very friendly bunch from the border patrol.  The border patrol has quite an imposing presence near green valley.  I see at least a dozen patrol vehicles each time I head out.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

First ride outdoors of 2010!

Yesterday was the first time out on the road for me in 2010.  It felt great to be out on the road rather than fixed to a stationary trainer in my dark home theatre room.  The day started off as quite cold and wet with some hail in the early afternoon.  I chose to stay inside and relax for the first part of the day.  Thanks to the wonders of the hour-by-hour forecast, I was pretty confident that things would clear up and I could have a nice ride just before sunset and I was right!

 

You can see in the photo that I took of myself that my phone is not easy to take photos of yourself with... have to hit the middle of the touch screen, which is not easy while riding! (see shadow in background)

 

 

test photo upload

Testing a feature for uploading photos since my last post didn’t work...

 

Cold and rainy in Tucson

So, I landed in Tucson last night for the start of my 2 weeks down here, first on my own and then as part of a Canadian Cycling Association training camp.  Thanks to the McD family, I have a great 3 bedroom condo with a car to stay in!

 

The plan was to come down here to get away from the cold and get some serious base miles in.  I went shopping this morning while it was cold and raining hoping to wait out the rain before riding.  Came back, started putting the bike together and it started hailing!  I am happy to see that I am nearly 20C warmer than Calgary, but shouldn’t it be a little warmer here than in Victoria!?!

 

Rain is supposed to break at 4 and then I’ll hit the road...

Devon's Fire Sale!

In an attempt to make some room in the house and to fund by 2010 cycling season, I am clearing out some of my older gear.  For anyone that is interested, please e-mail me and I will combine items and discount (ie, if you want the TT frame with SRM and carbone wheels...)

 

SRM Power meter dura ace pro 175mm cranks PCV (wired) – $1500 (Used, but like new condition)

Zipp 808 tubular USED (incl tire) - $650

Zipp 808 tubular NEW (incl tire) - $850

2005 Giant TCR Composite Time Trial bike (Large Frame 58cm) $1500 (paid 6k with wheels 3 years ago)

(no wheels, but could include wheels for $)

all DA components (less cranks),

ceramic pulleys and BB

same frame as http://www.honedesign.com/sites/giant/magentareign/tcr_composite_tt.html

minor scratches from travel, never crashed

nokon cable housing

Giant TCR advanced road bike (Large frame 55.5 compact frame like 58cm) $2500 (MSRP frame only, no components over 3000usd)

(no wheels, but could include wheels for $)

Full DA components (less cranks)

                Ceramic pulleys and BB

                Frame is brand new from warranty only a few hundred KM on the frame

nokon cable housing

Guru 60cm track bike w/Miche chain rings $600

(no wheels, but could include wheels for $)

Zipp 202 rear only ~300km on wheel shimano hub - $650 (MSRP over $1100)

Mavic cosmic carbone wheel set USED $1000

Zipp Vuka aero bars new in the box - $850 (MSRP 1200USD)

 

 

 

Blog resurrection!

So... as my lovely wife as pointed out, this will be my third attempt at maintaining a blog.  All of you who know me personally, know that I am not terribly good at keeping in touch with friends and family, but everyone keeps asking what is going on with my racing so... third time’s the charm, right?

 

Who knows... maybe now that I have a shiny Palm Pre to post things easier this one might work.  Only time will tell!

 

Time to put in some quality time with my stationary trainer!